"This weekend, it's a holiday weekend," CSU East Bay Public Health Professor Dr. Michael Schmeltz said. "You want to be outside, in the sun, by the shore, but we have to be aware. With these high temperatures, everyone is vulnerable."
[Ads /]
Dr. Schmeltz says everyone has a different temperature threshold at which our health is impacted by the heat, it's as low as 90 degrees for some.
RELATED: CA households could prevent blackouts by reducing energy use by 25%, expert says
And Dr. Schmeltz says if you're not careful as the heatwave drags on, things like gardening, fishing, and bike riding can be dangerous.
"Going for something like a walk during the day, normally we would be fine," Dr. Schmeltz said. "We may sweat a little bit and cool off through that sweating. But now with these extreme high temperatures, that sort of 'heat balance' that our bodies are trying to cool, that balance is shifted towards the higher end."
And that could lead to mild symptoms like dehydration or dizziness, or serious conditions like heat stroke which could cause irreversible damage to the brain and liver.
RELATED: Excessive heat warning prompts closure of some East Bay open spaces
If you suffer from serious symptoms, like a high fever, you need to seek medical attention immediately.
Chief of the Kaiser Permanente Santa Clara Emergency Department Dr. Joel Levis says he is unfortunately expecting to see more patients this weekend.
"Our emergency departments tend to see an increase of patients presenting to the emergency departments with symptoms consistent with a heat-related illness," Dr. Levis said.
RELATED: Flex Alert issued in California as parts of state could see 8 consecutive days of triple-digit heat
For the sake of your health, Dr. Levis says you need to take extra care when it gets this hot.
[Ads /]
"Definitely understanding or recognizing the symptoms early on and knowing when it's time to change your activity," Dr. Levis said. "Get out of the heat, get into an air-conditioned room, follow some cool measures and make sure you're hydrating. Start those things early so you're not missing the signs and it progresses to something worse."
So, stay cool and stay healthy.
RELATED STORIES & VIDEOS:
- What's a Flex Alert?
- Heat stroke vs heat exhaustion: What's the difference and what are the symptoms?
- What everybody should know to help prevent hot car deaths
- Dry and secondary drowning: Hidden threats for swimmers
- Can you start a fire if you leave bottled water in your car?
- Can you bake cookies in a hot car?
- Facts and myths about sunscreen
- ABC7 Meteorologist Drew Tuma shares scary heat exhaustion experience
- Lotion in the refrigerator and more hacks to keep cool without AC
- How hot summer weather affects your car
- Natural remedies for sunburn
- Heat hypothesis: The link between summer weather and aggressive behavior
- Tips to stay safe during the hot summer months
- Why it's harder to cool off in humidity
[Ads /]